The 10 Best International Shipping Companies 2024

• The best international shipping company is John Mason International
• Bishop’s Move is the best for combining removals with storage
• Anglo Pacific World Movers is our pick for reliability 

When it comes to getting your prized possessions to your new home, you want the best of the best shipping companies to handle it.

Shipping is by far the safest option, and the consensus among insurers is that 99.99% of the £8.5 billion of containerised cargo arrives safely every day.

Also, it’s a more cost-effective option than air freight, which can cost 10-15 times as much.

We’ve found the shipping companies who do it best, using data from review sites like Trustpilot and Sirelo, as well as a test customer who secured quotes for an identical relocation from London to New York City.

Ready to start your own move? Simply send us a few details about your trip, and our trusted suppliers will be in touch with free quotes, tailored to your move.

Select the size of your move to get free quotes

This is how you’ll feel after choosing one of these top shipping companies

What are the 10 best international shipping companies?

We’ve ranked the 10 best shipping companies worldwide, judging them according to how cost-effective, reliable, experienced and well-reviewed they are.

1. John Mason International
2. Pickfords
3. Bournes Moves
4. Britannia Movers International
5. PSS International Removals
6. Bishop’s Move
7. Transglobal Express
8. 1st Move International
9. Eagle Relocations
10. Anglo Pacific World Movers

Now let’s go into more detail about each of these top-tier international shipping companies.

Each firm is excellent, but with different strengths and weaknesses. We’ve summarised the differences, to make it as easy as possible to pick the right one for your move.

1. John Mason International

John Mason International is a shipping company with real history on its side – the company started in Liverpool with horse-drawn carts all the way back in 1884! It’s since ditched the horse and carts for world-renowned air and ocean shipping, but John Mason International has kept its dedication to timely deliveries.

Time taken to ship: 4-8 weeks

Customer service: Incredible, if Trustpilot is to be believed. As of October 2024, John Mason International has achieved a hugely impressive 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot, which is comfortably the highest rating out of any of the shipping companies on this list.

What the company specialises in: Having the best customer service around. Seriously, John Mason International is a shipping company devoted to making sure its customers’ relocations are as smooth as possible.

2. Pickfords

If you want a shipping company that consistently wins awards, Pickfords is it. In fact, just last year, Pickfords won the Forum for Expatriate Management’s best international moving company for the fourth year in a row.

Talk about good service! Also, Pickfords will deliver your belongings to nearly any destination that isn’t a warzone, giving the company a big selling point. And if it’s a competition of historical pedigree between John Mason and Pickfords, the latter wins – Pickfords has been helping people move their belongings since 1646.

Time taken to ship: 20-45 days or more

Customer service: Fantastic – Pickfords has achieved 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on a reassuringly high number of reviews (9,934 as of October 2024). The general consensus is that communication is very clear and contact is frequent, making sure customers aren’t left in the dark about where their belongings are.

What the company specialises in: Because Pickfords is part of the Allied International Moving Network, the company can basically move you anywhere you want. It’s the go-to removal company if you’re moving somewhere a little unusual.

3. Bournes Moves

Bournes Moves are a door-to-door shipping company offering fully insured removals. It offers a personalised experience via a dedicated move manager, which is great if you want one reliable person to turn to throughout the moving process.

The company offers shipping to over 180 countries and covers all sorts, including pet moving services,

Time taken to ship: 4-8 weeks (12-16 if using groupage freight)

Customer service: Really, really good. Bournes Moves sit close to the top of the pile with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Most people comment on how friendly and efficient the process was, highlighting the responsiveness of the team and their move manager.

On Sirelo, Bournes Moves has an average score of 7.9 out of 10, which is still pretty good, but there were some reviewers that had problems with the company’s storage facilities and belongings getting damaged.

What the company specialises in: Bournes Moves provides full insurance cover and its entire staff are all fully vetted and professionally trained.

4. Britannia Movers International

If you want a moving company trusted by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), Britannia Movers International is the one to go for. As well as this impressive nod of approval, Britannia Movers is also certified by BAR (British Association of Movers), FIDI (International Federation of International Movers), and IAM (International Association of Movers).

These are as good a sign of trustworthiness as you can get.

Time taken to ship: 4-6 weeks door-to-door

Customer service: Very good. Britannia Movers backs up its reputation as trusted by the MoD with an exemplary Trustpilot rating of 4.7 out of 5. Customers are big fans of the company’s communication, condition of belongings upon arrival, and speed of deliveries.

It’s not quite the same story on Sirelo, with the company getting an average score of 6.2 out 10, but considering how hard it can be to score well on this website, that’s not too bad.

What the company specialises in: Being a company trusted enough to be used by the MoD is an impressive feat.

5. PSS International Removals

This company focuses exclusively on international removals (like John Mason), so you know you’re getting specialists when you choose to move to a new country with PSS International Removals.

Time taken to ship: 15-30 days.

Customer service: Pretty great! PSS International Removals has a solid 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot as of October 2024. Lots of reviews focus on the care and attention put into packing belongings (one said their packers must’ve played Tetris).

It’s not quite as positive on Sirelo, with a rating of 7 out of 10, but many reviews still highlight the efficient process and care paid to moving belongings.

What the company specialises in: PSS International Removals prides itself on speed. It’s the fastest removals company on this list and one of the cheapest too.

This is how your priceless goods will safely travel to your new home

6. Bishop’s Move

Bishop’s Move is another industry veteran, having been operating since 1854. It’s the company of choice when it comes to flexibility, as Bishop’s Move is capable of managing both home and business relocations.

Also, it’s a member of four big moving associations – BAR, FIDI, EURA (the European Relocation Association), and IAM (International Association of Movers).

And what’s more, it’s been shortlisted for an Association of Relocation Professionals award.

Time taken to ship: 20-30 days door-to-door

Customer service: Bishop’s Move has a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot – still very good, of course. Lots of reviewers highlight the friendly service and how quick the process is.

Sirelo is where it gets a little rough for Bishop’s Move, as it has just 3.9 stars out of 10. The platform is notoriously difficult to score highly on admittedly, but it’s still a low score.

What the company specialises in: Being a one-stop shop. Bishop’s Move can help with home and business relocations – whether they’re domestic or international – and fulfil any storage needs.

7. Transglobal Express

Transglobal Express is a freight forwarder, meaning they collaborate with carriers to move your belongings from A to B. The company does this job very well, and at competitive prices.

Time taken to ship: 8-9 weeks

Customer service: Very decent. Transglobal Express has an average rating on Trustpilot of 4.3 out of 5, with most customers happy with its reliability and ability to demystify some of the confusing aspects of international shipping.

What the company specialises in: Transglobal Express prides itself on making the process of international shipping as simple as can be. Plus, its services are pretty cost-effective too.

8. 1st Move International

A dedicated international removals company, 1st Move International offers weekly shipping services direct from the UK to destinations all over the world. Your belongings are kept safe and secure thanks to the palletised shipping approach.

Be sure to check that the total cost includes moving your items from the pallet to your home, as some customers said they were charged an additional 20% to what they were quoted for this service.

Time taken to ship: 4-8 weeks

Customer service: 1st Move International has a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on a little under 450 reviews. One aspect of the reviews that stood out was that customers who made last-minute requests said they were really pleased with how quickly 1st Move International accommodated these changes.

What the company specialises in: The unique palletised removals are a key selling point for 1st Move International, as these add a layer of safety for your precious belongings.

9. Eagle Relocations

Eagle Relocations is a UK-based moving company that covers shipping to major destinations around the world, including Australia, Canada, most of Europe, and the US.

It’s part of the IAM and offers customers peace-of-mind services including container tracking, so you can see where your belongings are at all times. Eagle Relocations will also handle all the hassle-inducing tasks such as customs checks, making sure your items are cleared for arrival at your new home!

As a company, Eagle Relocations has operated since 1967, so you know it’s got literal decades of experience in the relocation industry.

Time taken to ship: 3-4 weeks

Customer service: Pretty good, with an average of 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot. What’s reassuring is how the company handles calls. If you call Eagle and tell the representative your details, you can get a quote while you’re on the phone, with clear and friendly instructions about what to do next.

Representatives are keen to help, and know their stuff, so it feels like you’re in safe hands.

What the company specialises in: Making you feel special. Eagle isn’t one of the biggest companies around – it serves around 1,500 people per year, which means every customer matters.

10. Anglo Pacific World Movers

Anglo Pacific is an affiliated member of three shipping organisations – FIDI, BAR and IAM – meaning you can trust this company.

Its partnership with shipping behemoth Maersk means you can rest safe in the knowledge that your precious belongings will reach their destination – whether it’s your classic car, comfy sofa, or favourite painting.

Generally speaking, moves with this company take a little longer than average, but the added trust of its accreditations might make the extra wait worthwhile.

Time taken to ship: 8-10 weeks

Customer service: Anglo Pacific World Movers has a Trustpilot rating 4.2 out of 5 (from 1,206 reviews at the time of writing) which is fairly average in Trustpilot terms. It’s only 5.5 out of 10 on Sirelo, with a strong contrast between reviewers praising the care the company puts into packing belongings, and those saying there was no care taken.

What the company specialises in: Personal service. It’s run by a small team and many customers praise the helpful staff.

How to choose an international shipping company for your move

When choosing an international shipping company, there’s a few things you should keep in mind. Namely:

• Trustworthiness: You want a moving company you can trust, and credentials are a good way to check this. Keep an eye out for things like being FAIM certified, which means a company passes a quality standard for international removals.Companies which are FAIM certified must be independently vetted in areas including customer service, facilities, claims, training of staff, and financial standing.

• Reliability: You can get an idea for reliability by looking at reviews on sites such as Trustpilot and Sirelo. On Trustpilot, it’s worth changing the reviews order to “most recent” so that you don’t just see the reviews that the Trustpilot algorithm has chosen. (You can also filter to focus on negative reviews, if you want to see what issues customers encountered.)A smooth move is never a guaranteed process though, especially when it comes to international relocations. So take some reviews with a pinch of salt, because unexpected events can occur that are out of the control of the shipping company. Speaking of the unexpected…

• Insurance coverage: Most international shipping companies offer insurance, but you should still check to see what is and isn’t covered.
• Experience with customs: When you move your belongings to a new country, they have to get through that country’s customs, which is a complicated process with a lot of documentation.You want a shipping company with experience managing this, so you’re not faced with the prospect of having your belongings sent back to your country of origin.

Next steps

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to start comparing prices for your own international move, which we can help with. If you want to get top-quality services with minimal effort, you’ve come to the right place.

Pop a few details about your move abroad in our easy-to-use tool, and let us do the hard work. We’ll pass this information along to our professional suppliers, who will then get in touch with obligation-free deals for you to choose from.

Best international shipping companies: FAQs

What is the largest shipping company?

The largest shipping company in the world is the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), when measured by containerised cargo capacity.

This shipping behemoth’s fleet can carry more than 4.6 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), and includes the two biggest container ships on the planet: the MSC Irina and MSC Loreto.

What is the main shipping company in the UK?

Pickfords is the main shipping company in the UK.

It’s the most prestigious, popular, and well-reviewed shipping company on these shores, as well as the oldest – by far.

What is the cheapest way to ship internationally?

The cheapest way to ship internationally is via ocean freight, which on average is 10 to 15 times cheaper than air freight. You’ll also get better value for money when shipping large quantities of goods, which can become very expensive if you choose to use air freight.